Swimming can be traced back to almost 6000 years. It immerged as a sport later but much before humans used it as a means of Hunting and survival.

The cave drawings of the Assyrians & Egyptians, the stone statues from the prehistoric times teach us a lot about swimming during those times. The Persians, the Japanese also have a rich history of swimming. The Greeks & the Romans used swimming as a means of entertainment. Julius Caesar, who was well known for his ability to swim, even escaped his enemies once by swimming into the sea.

Swimming which was widely meant for survival & entertainment was finally introduced as a sport during the 19th century but for the wealthy only.

The first manual for swimming was written in 1523 by Nicolaus Wynmann.

Captain Mathew Webb was the first English Channel swimmer.